HRSA Commits $52M to Health Centers Supporting People Leaving Incarceration
Summary
This will help address health-related social needs that those leaving incarceration may have, including housing, financial struggles, food insecurity, intimate partner violence and transportation issues.The recipients had to apply for funding, according to HRSA. The agency received more than 100 eligible applications and selected the recipients through an objective review process.There is a need for more support for people reentering society following incarceration. Opioid overdose is also a leading cause of death for those released from prison, and this population has higher rates of chronic conditions like diabetes, hepatitis and hypertension.The $52 million investment comes after HRSA released a draft policy earlier this year for all health centers, outlining the conditions under which they can offer pre-release care to individuals involved in the justice system. This policy aims to help health centers better serve the needs of their communities by detailing how they can provide healthcare services to incarcerated individuals who are scheduled for release or are expected to be released within 90 days, ensuring continuity of care.At HRSA, we are committed to caring for historically underserved communities, said HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson in a statement. People reentering the community from incarceration are particularly vulnerable to poor health outcomes and mortality.